Wednesday, January 16, 2013

A New Computer and A Nice Book Review Found in the Middle of the Night



So with all the CPT code nonsense, I've decided to computerize my practice and do my own billing in a different way.  I bought a computer -- an All-in-One thing with the computer in the screen, and a printer, and a desk to put them on.  I got the password for the WiFi from one of my office mates and am now chipping in for the Verizon bill (well, sort of).  So, yes, if you're wondering, I didn't have a computer, or a desk, in my office until last week.  Before I had a smart phone, I was e-unaccessible while I worked, and I thought the office as my haven, a place where I sit and actually speak to people without the distraction of screens.  If I could serve wine and cheese, my job would be perfect.  Ummm, some days.  So the new computer is fine, it has a really big screen that I can actually see without glasses, but I don't like Windows 8 at all, and you can be sure that Clink and Roy have already thrown up their arms in geeky exasperation because I didn't buy a MacBook.  The insurance form program I've used for years doesn't work with Mac's, but to my geek friends....oy. 

So CPT codes, and mental health issues all over the news, a new computer, new ways of billing, and the inevitable busy-ness of before and after vacation.  Last night, I realized that I had my novels floating out there and I've never checked to see if anyone's saying anything about them.  I Googled Double Billing, and realized it was mentioned in my college alumni magazine (which was also sitting next to my laptop), and that one of my neighbor's books (Concussions and Our Kids) was also in that same "In Brief" review.  But then I stumbled upon a blogger who had written the nicest comments weeks ago. Do check out Tee Bee H's blog "about the non-commercial things we do." I borrowed her graphic above.  Since I was surfing because I couldn't sleep, this was just the nicest thing to read:

The book was a page-turner because of elegant structure and pacing.  The language was often interesting and otherwise non-jarring.  I really cared about the author’s take on things –because she is a psychiatrist? because I’ve followed  her blog for a while?– which meant that I was interested in the protagonist’s thoughts, feelings and actions.  At times I ached for the mess her life was in, at others I wanted to shake her into action, and then she’d find her backbone again, just in the nick.  And there was nothing saccharine about the happy ending – a fine achievement, seriously.

3 comments:

Judith Kastenberg said...

Hi Dinah,

Funny you mentioned deciding to buy a computer and use electronic records in the wake of the new CPT coding. I have now heard this form other psychiatrists too. The electronic records people seem the real winners!

Dinah said...

Oh gosh, no I'm not using electronic records. I'm writing notes in Word and printing them out to put in the chart.

I'm predicting the real winners will be the insurance companies. No one knows what codes to use and what each insurer will accept or reimburse, so they'll reject claims, and some people (patients/docs) won't jump through the hoops to get paid. I suppose we'll see in a few weeks.

Anonymous said...

Off topic, but I am very glad I do not live in New York as it looks like psychiatric patients have just lost any chance of privacy with the new legislation that passed. Great job, new york! Definitely won't ever move there.